Peter Ronstadt, Kidd Squidd & more being inducted into Tucson Musicians Museum

Six local musicians will be inducted into the Tucson Musicians Museum during the 17th Annual Celebration of Music and Culture next Sunday.

Peter D. Ronstadt comes from a musical legacy. He is the son of Michael J. Ronstadt and nephew of Linda Ronstadt. Through his career, he has played several instruments such as the violin, the tuba, the banjo, the bass, and the guitar. He currently performs in his duo Liz & Pete, the Ronstadt Brothers, and The Co.

"It was a surprise, but an honor," Ronstadt said. "It'll be great to be up there with a bunch of Ronstadts that have held up the family legacy."

Ronstadt told the Sentinel his best musical memory is tied to his father and his family.

"Being able to spend most everyday of the final years of my father Michael J's life with him in both a personal and professional context while we played in Ronstadt Generations along with my brother, Michael G.," Ronstadt said.

Celebrated Tucson DJ Dave "Kidd Squidd" Squires is also in the list. He would DJ at events like weddings or at clubs while teaching transcendental meditation in New Mexico. He eventually made his way to Tucson and for decades had a radio show on KXCI.

"I'm totally surprised," Squires said. "Obviously, I'm very flattered. I was on the air for 38 years and we were all volunteers at KXCI and we did it because we loved music."

Squires said he made his money by spinning records at parties and weddings. He said he didn't want to be a musician because he "was lazy" but he still loved music.

"My show was basically a celebration of the history of America and music all the way from the '20s to modern times," Squire said. "Of all those 38 years that I was on the air every Saturday from two until five, I never once went 'Oh, God, I gotta do my show today.' Never. I couldn't wait to get in the air and do my thing. It was so much fun being a DJ. It was such a total blast."

One of the musicians who will be inducted is Matt Pimple, a drummer who has played with bands such as the 4 Pigs, Flying Donkey Punch, Grudge Holder, Single Finger Theory and Dredging the Lake among others. John Hawk, guitarist and harmonica player, will also be inducted to the museum. His previous acts included the Roy Clayborne Show and his own band which he formed with musicians Mike Montiel, Jean Nordin and John Chastain before going solo.

Anthony "Nick" Augustine - who played with bands such as Jackie Blue & the Cosmic Touch Revue and Eddie Papa Gabriel and The Crescent City Connection - and Steve Shell - who is in his band Shell Shock - will also be inducted.

George Howard, director of the Musicians Museum, told the Sentinel the late Damon Mariscal will be added to the lineup in memoriam. Hawk, Augustine, Shell, Pimple and Ronstadt will be performing at the event.

The Tucson Musicians Museum's charity event is an opportunity to get the funds for the benefit of not only the museum, but its mentorship program as well.

The museum's program was created to help train young musicians in the area and provide instruments for those who cannot afford them.